Alex Kreit, a professor at the Thomas Jefferson School of Law and former chairman of the city's Medical Marijuana Task Force, said the passing of a measure in Los Angeles might drive the City of San Diego to act.

"I do think that if something passes in LA that will be another push, like another piece of the puzzle pushing the City Council to say, 'Let's get something in place,'" Kreit said prior to the results.

Kreit pointed to Mayor Bob Filner's leadership and said the city is "back on track" dealing with the issue, but it still lacks a concrete policy.

In Los Angeles, there were two other proposals on the ballot: Proposition E would cap the number at the same level as Proposition D, but raise no new taxes, and Proposition F wouldn't limit the number of shops but would put stringent controls such as audits and background checks on employees while also raising taxes.